AN Well, this is probably the last chapter sniffle, but I am please to tell you that you'll find a need for a a sequel after you read this chapter. It has been kind of a short story, but I'm not good at long ones. I tend to run out of ideas. Anyway, those of you that had this on your alert list should definitely check the sequel out (which, by the way, should be up relatively soon; I've been planning it already), because… oops, bit of a spoiler here: HUGE cliffhanger. So, please, R&R, and enjoy!
In the weeks after the Second Battle of Beruna, things quieted down, although the Telmarine culture was in a Renaissance. People began to learn about the Narnian history, and they gained respect for nature and magical creatures. Telmarines were no longer concerned about simply fighting. Magical creatures became a large part of the Telmarine villages and palace. The palace became bright and colorful, a drastic change from the former navy and gray.
Meanwhile, Tess and Edmund began to focus on their relationship. Although they each had their own quarters (Tess's room was expanded to that of nobility, complete with a bedroom overlooking the sea, a bathroom, a small library, a terrace, and a lounge, courtesy of Caspian), their time was almost always spent in either the other's quarters, the courtyards, or on the beach. They spent long hours talking, and whenever one would visit the other's quarters, the visitor would come back most of the time long after dark (although both Tess and Edmund secretly thought it would make much more sense to spend the night in the other's bed, but didn't tell each other, just to be safe). Sometimes, when Edmund would go on one of his long rants about… whatever, Tess's attention would fade, and she would just stare into his dark eyes. She honestly tried to listen, but it was just too hard.
When Edmund was in post-war council (AN I don't know if such a thing exists, but it does now, Tess would entertain herself. with Grip and Lucy. The youthful trio did tend to occasionally wreak havoc, but nobody minded. Lucy educated her on life as royalty (for Tess was more or less considered royalty now, and there was talk about crowning her a queen of Narnia as a reward for her bravery or naming her a duchess of some part of Narnia), although she knew much of it before from watching her mother work with Prunaprismia. She was given many beautiful ball gowns, dresses and jewels.
One day though, everyone was summoned to the largest courtyard. Aslan, Peter, and Susan had an announcement.
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"Leaving?" croaked Edmund.
Peter and Susan nodded solemnly.
"We can bring Tess back with us, can't we?" asked Edmund hopefully.
"I am afraid not," replied Aslan in his deep voice. "She must stay behind. She has no place in your world."
Tess could barely stop herself from crying. She clung to Edmund, telling herself to stay strong.
"But," Aslan continued, "You and your siblings will come back to rule forever one day. Not too far off."
Edmund still couldn't bear to leave Tess, but he knew he had to. He turned to her and began to speak.
"I love you. I swear by Aslan's Mane that I'll come back for you. Forever. And I'll take you as my queen."
"They're in love?" whispered Peter to Trumpkin.
"You, my friend, are a clueless dolt," replied Trumpkin.
Tess took a deep breath, fighting back tears. This was the best and the worst thing in her life, all rolled up into one.
Finally, she gasped, "I trust you, Edmund."
"I will open a portal to your world," said Aslan, and a large tree twisted to form an arch.
As Edmund was walking through, he glanced back at Tess. He turned away sadly. All of a sudden, she'd run straight at him, into his arms, and kissed him passionately.
"I love you," whispered Tess.
Edmund bit back tears, and walked through the arch.
The four appeared on the platform just as the train was pulling up. They boarded in silence.
"Do you think Ed'll be alright?" whispered Susan to Lucy.
"Yeah. He'll stay strong for Tess. I know he will."
AN Awww, my story hath ended. What did you think? I hope you enjoyed it thoroughly. The sequel will start in less than a week, so keep checking! I love you all!